Inspiration....

KandinskyGeorgia O'Keefe

Kandinsky

2010 is going to be a really exciting year....I am really energized and optimistic! I am starting several new projects this year I am always on the lookout for ways to get inspired....After a very busy holiday season I realized that two must see exhibits were about to close.  You can always count on a great exhibit to spur on creativity.  I stole some time and headed over to the Whitney and saw the exhibit "Abstracts"a collection of   Georgia O'Keefe paintings, watercolors and line drawings. Her work always has inspired me even as a  young girl. 
Then I headed up to the Guggenheim and saw Kandinsky...Wow! what a thrill to see his work together in one space...unforgettable.  I love the artbuzz you get when you are close and personal with such amazing and inspiring art.  Of course, I bought the books and when home and poured over the pages again so I could remember my favorites....I posted a couple that I liked from the exhibit...I always take away a visual memory from these great artists and I weave a piece of it into my work....

'Tis the Season to Shop Online

Don't be crazy this holiday season stay calm and shop online. I decided this year that I was not going to fight the crowds & all the mall frenzy. I poured myself a hot cup of tea, sat in front of my computer, and got shopping. Here's what I found....

I hope some of my finds help you along with your Holiday shopping and I would love to hear any of your ideas....Wishing everybody a Happy & Stylish Holiday Season....See you 2010!

“May today mark the beginning of many new joys and accomplishments...and a continuation of all of the good things that you have already achieved."

Paint the Town Red!

Even before the final countdown to the holidays began I was thinking that it would be great to have a bold, red window display here in the shop. Our inspiration was this intriguing 3-dimensional looking wallpaper from Romo. With the addition of the nailheads you have touch it to convince yourself that is actually a flat surface.

Red is not typically one of my go-to colors, but nothing says celebration like red. Red conveys a sense of passion and intensity so much so that the phrases “Power Tie”and “Red Carpet” conjure up strong images. Crimson, ruby and rouge can all speed up your heart rate.
Think of Valentino and red is the first color that comes to mind. He practically invented the color. He’s the Ferrari of the fashion world.

The last two covers of Elle Décor featured red as the dominant color in their room designs. I think they may be on to something here.

One of my favorite fabric lines-Marimekko-often uses a pop of red with both orange and pink to really make a statement. And it’s a match made in heaven with a red Arne Jacobsen Egg Chair.

And red is such a popular color for front doors because it really stands out and looks great with almost any house color.

"When in doubt, wear RED." - Bill Blass

Paint It Black

Even though I’m known for my use of color I had to hold my breath when we decided to paint one of our showroom walls black. It was a bold move but it created just the kind of drama I was looking for. Not scary, Halloween black but sophisticated, elegant, mysterious black. A black wall can add depth and perspective to a room and can be as prestigious as “black tie”.

If any of you have seen the new film “Coco Before Chanel” you’ll know that she was the one who made the little black dress the chic, enduring fashion statement that we all own. In fashion or interiors you can make jewel tones pop with black or contrast it with white for a timeless combination.

Even if you’re not ready to take a leap of faith and paint a room or even a wall black, every room should have some black elements in it. It can provide definition or a common thread for the eye to follow. It can be as simple as the frames on photos, the grosgrain trim on a pillow or a few well-chosen accessories. We recently changed all the exterior doors here to black and it looks sleek and classic. But remember that black is not just black. It can carry the subtle differences in value in the likes of ebony, jet, ink, midnight or onyx. I absolutely fell in love with this striking image of Gwyneth Paltrow's beautiful black Hampton's kitchen...I am currently using this as the inspiration behind one of our client's butler's pantry. Stay tuned!

“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”
Coco Chanel

The Sunny Side of the Street

I figured this dreary fall day was a good time to continue with my color series and talk about the color that always makes me feel happy…YELLOW. This sunny color is one that I’ve been using lately in my design schemes as a “highlighter”. It perks up the more subdued neutral that has been one of my go-to colors for a while now-gray. Yellow can be a bit tricky-not too warm as it may read as gold and not too cool as it may turn to that acidy-greenish yellow that can be as unflattering in interiors as it is in fashion.This yellow stunner from the runway would send whoever walked the red carpet in it straight to the top of the best-dressed list.

And why do you think those iconic rain slickers come in yellow? Gotta be because they’re one of the bright spots on a stormy day.

This intriguing door system in yellow really grabbed my attention. It turns an industrial look into a chic design statement.

I credit the yellow I used in this designer showhouse in part with helping me land the cover of Traditional Home. The estate venue was limiting for many of the designers because of all the dark wood that had to remain untouched. Luckily I had free-reign and knew that my room would feel like a ray of sunshine.

"Some painters transform the sun into a yellow spot, others transform a yellow spot into the sun." -Picasso

Tickled Pink

Pink is one of those excitable colors that lingers with you long after it's gone. Even though Pink is often associated with little girls & their dream bedrooms, there is a way for even us big girls to bring the blush of Pink back into everyday life. I always jump at the chance to have some fun with Pink....

Here are some great examples of how pink (and more specifically Hot Pink) can work in every area of your life....Pink often adds that perfect pop of unexpected color that just holds your eye captive and in this case defines the space. I love the idea of painting the trim so it appears so predominantly....Unforgettable whimsy. Or, if your on the brave side, you can allow Pink to take center-stage by covering an entire wall with a bold print, like suggested below. And paired with that neutral chair...Magical!

Pink has had many admirers over the years...One being design icon Dorothy Draper. Her book, In the Pink, is a must read if you're as crazy for this hue as I am.

Pink is certainly no stranger to fashion either. I've found that Hot Pink is either making a cameo as an accessory or completely dominating an entire outfit. This Chanel bag is the perfect accent to punch up any outfit...Whether it be your classic LittleBlackDress or just jeans & a Tee, heads will turn.

I am madly in love with this jaw-dropping Marc Jacobs raincoat...I'm certain I could weather practically anything in this coat, completely armed in style.

And then there's every girls dream....a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes. These Pink pumps are such show-stoppers. So Carrie Bradshaw!

This beautiful velvet Designer's Guild fabric was the perfect shade of Hot Fuchsia-Pink that my room needed....No other color would've sufficed. These slipper chairs were my exclamation point to a neutral base and complemented the artwork by the late, great Stanley Twardowicz perfectly.

We all feel connected to this little Pink symbol and October has dedicated itself to the Pink ribbon in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It's a good reminder to all of us women to be taking care of ourselves and those we love. It's important that we continue to support & donate to wonderful organizations such as the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer foundation. Pink continues to inspire.

"Pink it's my new obsession. Pink it's not even a question. Pink is the love you discover." -Aerosmith

Orange Crush

The color orange draws a strong reaction from most people-you usually either love it or hate it. But the right shade of orange is something I often try to incorporate into my rooms. It's associated with things as wide-ranging as those much coveted Hermes boxes to that familiar Home Depot logo. And remember what a stir those thousands of orange flags in Christo's "The Gates" caused? In China and Japan orange is used to symbolize happiness & wealth. But I think that orange is fun & flamboyant and radiates warmth and energy. Here in the shop we figured we'd welcome in fall with a fab orange scheme. That's Benjamin Moore's "Raucous Orange" on the wall in our front window. And how glam does that Ressler Bergere chair look with its lacquered frame and Duralee fabrics? So fabulous we named it our Mick-Jaguar Chair...The perfect mixture of playful-luxury. We really went for the mix-antique pieces like the chest and leather chairs that we're featuring on 1st Dibs on top of a West Elm rug-it all works beautifully together.

Who wouldn't get noticed in these orange peep-toe pumps? Even celebrity chef Mario Batali with his orange crocs draws as much attention for his footwear as he does for his fabulous cuisine.

The genius of this table setting is in its crisp simplicity. The repetition of these orange posies in a sea of white has a strong 'WOW!' factor.

This orange lacquered ornate chest featured at the High Point Furniture Market grabbed the attention of everyone that passed. The finish on this piece was my inspiration for my Mick-Jaguar Chair."Orange is the happiest color."-Frank Sinatra

Something BLUE....

If you don't know by now I am completely driven by all things COLOR....

Color: (n) a property that becomes apparent when light falls on an object and by which things that are identical in form can be distinguished.

So since all my thoughts and time is spent obsessing over distinguishing moments, I've decided to do a series of blogs dedicated to individual colors that I love. And we are kicking things off with a timeless BLUE....

Right now I'm in a BLUE state of mind, which all began when my dear friend & talented photographer Sean Murphy showed me some of his recent shots. I became completely lost and mesmerized by this glistening image. Don't you just want to dive right in? I'm still hanging on to summer.

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week is upon us and New York City is bustling with excitement.....Blue is all over the runway and these are some of my favorite take-aways...
Katie Ridder is a girl after my own heart....That is the spot-on BLUE that I just love - especially when paired with those red & green accents. Well-Done!

“How sweet to be a Cloud Floating in the Blue!”
-A. A. Hodge

For samples of his work please contact Sean Murphy at sean.murphyinc@gmail.com

Runway To Reality

Take design cues from the fashion world and translate them into plush decor with these tips from (me) Interior Designer Eileen Kathryn Boyd

Then & Now: A Testament to Timeless Design

It has often been said that great design will always prevail against time, and it’s so exciting when you can see that design still making waves today. One of my favorite compliments to receive is that my work contains a timeless flavor. I like to use color in a way that is seldom expressed and exude confidence doing so which has taken me many years to perfect (Though I still get nervous with some decisions). Recently I have been sprucing up my own home and have been able to exercise some fearless design throughout each space.
A particularly special room to for me is my sun-porch. I use this room as a design laboratory; a place to inspire and develop my creative journey from project to project. The end result landed my porch in a sea of beautiful green Chella Fabric and a very fashion-forward Trina Turk pattern. I accented with pops of turquoise and other vibrant blues, creating pure tranquility.

While flipping through one of my vintage House Beautiful Mags, I came across a room decorated by Richard Phelps that had an uncanny resemblance to my own design. The June 1971 article was highlighting inventive ways to inspire your outdoor oasis. I absolutely love those cubes & green zebra print never looked better. A wonderful tribute that good design is always in style….Even 30 yrs later!

“The timeless in you is aware of life's timelessness; and knows that yesterday is but today's memory and tomorrow is today's dream." - Unknown